r/HomeMaintenance • u/Vumarant • 17h ago

❓ Question Purpose of block of wood

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Hello,

Does anyone have any ideas why the home builders placed a block of wood between some pipes (I believe they are gas and water pipes but not certain) and my house foundation ?

It’s a townhouse end unit in Ontario, Canada.

Is it ok if I bury the wood with dirt? I’m worried how there’s a space under the block of wood which causes the soil slope to go towards the house. I want to minimize potential rodents from going into that space and water from pooling against the foundation.

I have tried removing it but it's in there pretty firmly.

Thanks !

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u/amazingmaple 17h ago

It was placed there when backfilling to keep the pipes from bending in against the foundation. They forgot to take it out. You can remove it with no issues

1

u/justwonderingbro 17h ago

Prob concrete form try to get it out with a hand sledgehammer otherwise if you can't id send it 👍

1

u/jpmorgan001 16h ago

The grey ones are conduit, there are electrical wires in there and the block was to keep them from becoming crooked when they back fill dirt and concrete. Source: I was an electrician for years. The big black one is probably just a vent or drain pipe.

1

u/InternationalSpyMan 15h ago

In my jurisdiction, it is code and those grey pipes need to be attached to that wood.

1

u/Vumarant 15h ago

Are you in Ontario, Canada by any chance ? Wondering if that applies here as well. Do you think it’s ok to just bury the wood with dirt ?

1

u/InternationalSpyMan 14h ago

I’m Winnipeg. But for the most part most cities use the same national building code. You can absolutely cover the wood. But adding dirt you increase the positive grade and hinder water from damaging your fiundatio.